The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

America’s Air-Traffic Control System Is an International Disgrace

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1048 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Regulation Aviation Infrastructure Safety
  1. America's air-traffic control system is outdated and struggling, with too few controllers using old technology.
  2. Recent incidents highlight the mismanagement and dangers of the air traffic system, showing it has become one of the worst in the developed world.
  3. In comparison to systems in other countries like Canada, America's methods feel very outdated and inefficient.

Top Links 775 America's data disaster is here. Bimodal oil prices. Defending Angela Merkel and what is wrong with Ford engines.

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data Policy Political Commentary Economic Analysis Public Policy
  1. America is currently experiencing serious issues with data collection and analysis. Reducing the sample size compromises the quality of information we get from surveys.
  2. Oil prices are showing a bimodal pattern, meaning there are two different price levels currently affecting the market. This could indicate some instability or shifts in oil supply and demand.
  3. There are discussions about Angela Merkel's legacy and her political decisions. Some people are defending her while others are criticizing certain policies, like those related to the automotive industry.

The Civil War on the campaign trail

steveinskeep • 511 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Culture Leaders Ideology Presidential Campaigns
  1. Presidential candidates discussed the cause of the Civil War, revealing the contested history and beliefs about slavery.
  2. Nikki Haley and Donald Trump's differing views on the cause of the war highlight the cultural and historical perspectives around slavery.
  3. The conversation around the Civil War and negotiation reflects broader cultural beliefs and perspectives on conflict resolution and compromise.

Disaffected, Episode 153: Jan 6, 2024

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racial Issues Mental health Activism Education Media
  1. A Harvard president resigned due to plagiarism, which connects to larger racial issues in America from the last several decades.
  2. Activists are bringing Drag Queen Story Hour to rural areas in Vermont, aiming to reach children in conservative communities.
  3. A discussion on the signs and behaviors of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is highlighted through a text conversation example.

MOAR Pointless Sanewashing of Trump via the Myths of a Rational-Actor "Trump Administration" & a Consistent-Preferences Trump

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 422 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Media Critique International relations Geopolitical Strategy Trump administration
  1. The idea of a 'Trump administration' acting like a rational and consistent entity is misleading. This oversimplifies the complexities of Trump's actual decision-making and relationships.
  2. Putin likely sees any cooperation with Trump as untrustworthy due to the chaotic nature of Trump's leadership. He isn't invested in a relationship based on Trump's inconsistent positions.
  3. Judging Putin's actions based on the false assumption that he misplayed his cards is dangerous. It doesn't accurately reflect the geopolitical realities at play in the Ukraine situation.
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Futarchy's fundamental flaw

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 546 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Decision-making Market Analysis Economic Theory Statistical Methods
  1. Futarchy uses prediction markets to make decisions, but it has a basic flaw. It relies on conditional probabilities that don't show cause and effect, which means it can't actually provide reliable information for making choices.
  2. Just because high vitamin D levels are linked to lower death rates, it doesn't mean vitamin D causes those lower rates. Other factors like being healthier or wealthier often play a role. The same idea applies to Futarchy: just seeing a correlation isn’t enough to make decisions.
  3. While conditional prediction markets can give useful insights, they should be treated like any other statistic—helpful but not the only factor to consider. We need to recognize their limits and look for better methods to understand cause and effect.

Commentator

Castalia • 379 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military conflict Elections Political Commentary International relations
  1. It's really hard to talk about the Israel-Gaza conflict because people have strong feelings and different views. It's important to recognize Israel's right to defend itself, but many innocent people in Gaza are suffering too.
  2. Alexei Navalny showed great courage by returning to Russia despite knowing the risks. He represents the idea of standing firm on one's principles, and his legacy challenges us to think about bravery in the face of tyranny.
  3. The current political situation in the U.S. has lots of people worried about Biden's age and electability. There's a growing discussion about whether it's time for the Democratic Party to find a new candidate who could energize voters and win the upcoming election.

Beware the Internet Mob—on USAID and Everything Else

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1029 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Media Scandal Public Opinion
  1. Rumors spread quickly on social media, often without checking the facts first. It's important to be cautious about what we believe online.
  2. A recent claim about a scandal involving USAID and a news organization turned out to be misleading or false. Not everything viral is true.
  3. People can easily get swept up by popular opinions online, even when those opinions are based on incorrect information. Always look for reliable sources.

New York’s Vigil for That Terrorist—What’s His Name?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 969 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Events Activism Public Opinion Terrorism Media Coverage
  1. A vigil was held in New York for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed recently. Many attendees did not know much about him.
  2. The event included flowers, flags, and candles, with a suggestion for people to wear masks. It highlighted a lack of understanding about who Nasrallah was.
  3. This gathering was organized by college groups supporting Palestine, showcasing their connection to current events in the region.

What They Meant by Essential and Nonessential

COVID Reason • 1863 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Social Issues Civil Rights Democracy
  1. The distinction between essential and nonessential work was decided by a previously unknown agency called CISA.
  2. The terms essential and nonessential reshaped the commercial world in unprecedented ways.
  3. The categorization of essential and nonessential roles reveals a societal divide between those considered indispensable and those perceived as dispensable.

Complicated Plots, Undetected

In My Tribe • 1199 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Intelligence Elections Media Public Policy
  1. Keeping secrets is really hard, and it's important for countries to figure out how to protect sensitive plans from being leaked. The recent October 7 attack showed how much trust someone needs to have in their team to keep everything quiet.
  2. Communication is key in military strategy. Disrupting your enemy's communication can be just as powerful as using weapons. Militaries need to focus on not just protecting their own communication but also finding weaknesses in the enemy's.
  3. Modern politics struggles with transparency, as seen with the cover-up of President Biden’s health issues. People in charge might prioritize their positions over honesty, which can lead to serious problems for the country.

Will Celebrities Ever Realize That They're Not Helping?

I Might Be Wrong • 22 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political strategy Political parties Media Immigration Public Opinion
  1. When celebrities make political declarations at big events, it often provokes backlash and can end up helping the opposition instead of the cause.
  2. Catchphrases like "no one is illegal on stolen land" can be internally inconsistent and give opponents easy ammunition.
  3. Celebrities often act in their own interests, so staying quiet or using modest, thoughtful tactics tends to be more effective than grand public statements.

A Mostly Fire-Free LA

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Political Coverage Public Perception
  1. Not all of LA is burning. In fact, only a small part of the area is affected by fires, and most residents are safe.
  2. News often focuses on dramatic stories, like fires or violence, because they attract more viewers. Good news doesn't get as much attention.
  3. Despite big headlines, the majority of people in LA are not under evacuation orders, showing that the situation isn't as dire for everyone.

January 19, 2026

Letters from an American • 35 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Executive Power International relations Congress Oversight Diplomacy Military
  1. The president privately and publicly pushed for control of Greenland and obsessively complained about the Nobel Prize, sending aggressive messages that ignore history, law, and diplomatic norms.
  2. He is actively undermining the post–World War II rules-based international order — backing autocrats, trying to seize Venezuelan assets, and proposing a self-styled “Board of Peace” that would concentrate power.
  3. Those moves have sparked broad alarm and calls for accountability from journalists, clergy, former officials, and allied governments, and have already prompted concrete responses like Denmark boosting troops in Greenland.

America's Most Successful Terrorist?

Bet On It • 447 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Terrorism Security Government Policies Public Safety
  1. The TSA's shoe removal policy has cost Americans a lot of time, with estimates of about 15 billion minutes wasted over the years. That means countless hours lost for travelers.
  2. Richard Reid, known as the 'Shoe Bomber,' caused a massive response from security that had a much bigger impact on people's lives than his single terrorist act. His actions triggered a lifetime of inconvenience for air travelers.
  3. Ending this shoe removal rule means people can now travel more freely, as the harmful effects of the policy are finally being recognized and addressed.

So Much for That Tariff Shock

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1052 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Tariffs Bureaucracy International relations Political Commentary
  1. Washington's political landscape is changing, and decisions can happen quickly, like pausing tariffs unexpectedly.
  2. There's a sense of adjusting expectations, especially for those used to previous norms before Trump.
  3. Independent journalism is vital to provide honest insights about these changes and the real world.

Why Manchester should bid for the Olympics

Odds and Ends of History • 134 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Urban planning History Architecture Transportation
  1. Manchester should consider bidding for the Olympics because it could help improve transport links in the region, especially with Northern Powerhouse Rail.
  2. The current system for protecting historic buildings is not working well and needs to be changed to better preserve important structures.
  3. Engaging the community in these discussions is important, as it affects both local development and preservation.

Why are the "Epstein Survivors" refusing to answer questions?

Michael Tracey • 127 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Advocacy Legislation Media Relations Public Opinion Judicial Process
  1. The Epstein survivors' press conference had a no-question policy to protect their stories. This decision raised questions about transparency when the survivors are engaging in political advocacy.
  2. Many people are confused about the survivors' claims and their actual experiences. Some, like Annie Farmer, have faced legal challenges where their status as survivors was questioned, leading to skepticism about their narratives.
  3. There seems to be a lack of accountability regarding the claims made by survivors. Politicians and activists are expressing strong views without clear evidence, making it harder to discern the truth behind the Epstein case.

Do you need permission from the government to do independent research?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1015 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Regulation Research Ethics Law Public Policy Human Rights
  1. You don't always need government approval to do research on people. Many people believe IRB approval is required for all human research, but that's not true.
  2. The rules about what kind of research needs approval are complicated and can vary by state or institution. It's not always clear where the lines are drawn.
  3. Many journals require IRB approval to publish research, which can make it harder for independent researchers to share their findings without going through the process.

What I Learned about how the U.S. Handled the Run-Up to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Drezner’s World • 845 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Intelligence Sanctions National Security Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. believed Putin invaded Ukraine due to perceptions of Russian weakness, not U.S. weakness.
  2. Intelligence was used effectively by the Biden administration to persuade allies and delay Russia's invasion.
  3. Biden officials concluded that pre-emptive sanctions wouldn't have deterred Russia and focused on seizing oligarchs' assets to highlight corruption.

Can a Critic of the Deep State Run the Deep State?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1066 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Government Elections Legislation Policy
  1. Tulsi Gabbard is being considered for a top intelligence role, but she faces questions about her stance on Edward Snowden. This has made some senators uneasy during her confirmation hearing.
  2. Gabbard has previously praised Snowden, which complicates her nomination to oversee the country's spy agencies. Her views are causing tension among both Republican and Democratic senators.
  3. Despite initial support from some senators, Gabbard's unwillingness to clearly label Snowden as a traitor is raising concerns about her leadership in national intelligence.

Elon Musk, Ashley St. Clair, and the New Moral Majority

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 996 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Influencers Society Family Media
  1. Elon Musk reportedly has 13 children with four different women, making him a father many times over.
  2. Ashley St. Clair announced she had a child with Musk, which adds to his growing family.
  3. Despite Musk's personal life being quite public, conservative Republicans seem to be less critical about his situation.

US Political Violence in Context

Unmoderated Insights • 39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political violence Social media Public Opinion Political polarization
  1. Political violence in the US has been increasing, especially since 2020. It is reported to be at the highest levels since the early 1900s.
  2. Social media seems to play a role in this rise of political violence. More people are using it to organize violence than before, especially since 2021.
  3. The US has seen a big shift in attitudes, with more adults supporting the use of violence for political goals. This shift is concerning and reflects growing polarization.

Is a Foreign Adversary Flying Drones over New Jersey?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1303 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Government Defense Public Policy Surveillance
  1. There have been strange reports of large drones flying over critical places in New Jersey. Residents are confused and want to know where these drones are coming from.
  2. A congressman suggested that an Iranian mothership is behind the drone sightings, but this claim was quickly denied by the Pentagon. They said there is no evidence of such a mothership.
  3. Local and state officials are struggling to provide clear answers about the drones. Despite concerns, the Pentagon states that there has been no threat to military installations.

After Covid: Twelve Challenges for a Shattered World

COVID Reason • 1685 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Health Economy Education Society
  1. A new citizen movement is needed to reject authoritarian responses to crises and uphold freedom.
  2. Challenges post-pandemic include tech surveillance, money and banking issues, and the impact on business enterprises.
  3. Other challenges highlighted include regulatory capture, public health concerns, and the need for educational reform.

Disaffected 11/5/2023

Disaffected Newsletter • 739 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Action Public Safety Social Issues Cultural Commentary
  1. There is a rising anti-Jewish sentiment in the West, yet government initiatives are focused on combating anti-Islamophobia instead.
  2. It's important to distinguish between feeling unsafe and actually being unsafe. Standing up for oneself is often better than seeking help from authority figures.
  3. The conversation touches on various cultural topics, including AI misgendering and other societal issues, leading to a broader discussion.

Taiwan: Trump’s Most Dangerous Global Challenge

The Upheaval • 1135 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Military Strategy Global relations Geopolitics
  1. China sees taking over Taiwan as a crucial goal to establish itself as a world superpower. They've set deadlines for this, with some leaders believing they need to act soon before circumstances change.
  2. The U.S. military faces serious challenges in defending Taiwan, including its reliance on long supply chains and manufacturing that could leave it vulnerable in a conflict. This might make it hard to respond quickly if an invasion happens.
  3. Defending Taiwan is not just about supporting democracy; it's about protecting U.S. interests globally. Losing Taiwan could shake the U.S.'s standing in the world and lead to a big economic crisis at home.

17 Thoughts on the Election

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1536 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political trends Party Dynamics Public Opinion
  1. Trump has a unique appeal that other Republicans struggle to replicate. His strong support shows he stands out in the party.
  2. Abortion might be a key issue in the election, especially for women voters. Depending on the outcome, it could change how politics handles abortion going forward.
  3. Trump may redirect blame for abortion issues to pro-life supporters if things don't go well for him, which might shift their influence in the GOP.

A BBC Documentary—Brought to You by Hamas

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 950 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media bias Censorship Public Perception
  1. A BBC documentary shows children in Gaza dealing with the impacts of war, highlighting their daily struggles amidst destruction.
  2. One of the main child narrators is actually the son of a Hamas official, which raises questions about the documentary's fairness and objectivity.
  3. The BBC has faced criticism for not revealing important details about its sources, making some people doubt the authenticity of its reporting.

Wokeness Dismantled, Part 1

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Political theory Social justice Philosophy
  1. Wokeness emphasizes empathy for marginalized people, but it's important to recognize that individual empathy doesn't solve large social issues. What works for one person may not work for a whole group.
  2. John Rawls' idea of the 'veil of ignorance' suggests people will choose fair principles for society without knowing their own future position, but this theory has limitations. People have their own biases and preferences that can't just be ignored.
  3. Studies show that when given choices, people often don't prioritize the needs of the worst-off as Rawls suggests. Instead, they tend to make decisions that maximize the average welfare of society.

This Is What You Should Absolutely Not Be Doing Right Now

Discourse Blog • 805 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Humanitarian Crisis Media Criticism
  1. Avoid dishing out heartless condescension to others who may not fully support Joe Biden at this time.
  2. In moments of crisis, identify what actions are harmful and not beneficial to the situation.
  3. Be cautious of your words and actions, especially during difficult times like the humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Gaza.

Misogyny in the Heartland

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 577 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Women's Rights
  1. Pregnant women in Missouri face unique legal restrictions, like being unable to finalize a divorce while pregnant, highlighting challenges faced in the state.
  2. Missouri lawmakers have proposed stringent legislation that further limits women's reproductive rights and autonomy, sparking controversy and showcasing ongoing struggles for gender equality.
  3. The existing laws in Missouri, such as complete abortion bans and restrictive divorce regulations for pregnant women, reflect a larger issue of control over women's bodies and reproductive choices in the state.